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Regulated Control Scheme for Limited Processing Fishing Vessels: Operator Guidelines

Part 4: Operating Under the Regulated Control Scheme

Amendment 0

September 2004

4.1 Commencing Operations

The operator may only commence limited processing, including rendering or fish meal processing, from the date of notification of registration of the vessel.

After registration, the operator must comply with the requirements of the RCS and with any conditions imposed by the Director, Animal Products.

4.2 Operator’s Duties

The operator of a registered limited processing fishing vessel has the following duties (Regulation 42 of the RCS regulations):

42. Duties of operators of limited processing fishing vessels

1. The operator of a limited processing fishing vessel has the following duties:

a. to ensure the facilities and processing operations of the vessel do not contravene the relevant requirements of this scheme and of the operator documented system; including ensuring that—

i. the accredited verifier's requirements relating to verification are complied with:

ii. a designated person (or more than 1 person) responsible for the day-to-day management of the processing operations is on board the vessel while the vessel is operating:

iii. the requirements of this scheme and the operator documented system are implemented by the designated person or persons on board the vessel:

iv. a copy of the operator documented system is kept on board the fishing vessel at all times:

v. a set of instructions is kept on board the fishing vessel at all times in a language readily understood by processing personnel so that they may understand and comply with the operator documented system and this scheme:

b. to ensure that the operator documented system is not inconsistent with the requirements of this scheme:

c. to adequately implement and resource all processing operations under the scheme, including provision for the instruction, training, and supervision of personnel to ensure the production of fish product that is fit for intended purpose:

d. to ensure that all processing operations under the scheme are commensurate with the capability and the capacity of the vessel, facilities, equipment, and personnel to produce fish product that is fit for intended purpose:

e. to ensure relevant accredited persons have such freedom and access as will allow them to carry out their functions and activities under this Act, including verification functions and activities:

f. where fish product is recalled because it is or may not be fit for its intended purpose, to notify the vessel's recognised verifying agency as soon as practicable after the decision or direction to recall the product is made:

g. to maintain procedures and processes to demonstrate that the record-keeping requirements of and under this scheme in relation to the landing, reception, and processing of the fish material or product are being complied with:

h. to provide an interpreter when required by an accredited person or animal product officer or by the Director-General, when records on board a vessel are not kept in English or persons responsible for processing operations do not speak English.

2. The operator must notify the Director-General, in advance where practicable, and otherwise as soon as possible, of any change in the operator's recognised verifying agency.

3. The operator must notify the Director-General, in advance where practicable, and otherwise as soon as possible, of any of the matters specified in regulation 37(1)(d) to (g).

The matters specified in regulation 37 (1) (d) to (g) are as follows:

a. the processing operations on the vessel are no longer managed or controlled by the operator; or

b. the fishing vessel is no longer suitable for the processing activities carried out on board; or

c. the fishing vessel is no longer operating as a limited processing fishing vessel under this scheme; or

d. all the limited processing operations are carried out under a registered risk management programme.